Inventions

Egyptians made a lot of inventions. So much that are still used today! Now, as you read this article, think about all these basic inventions and what they led to! These are only a few of the things listed down that they made, but, really, the list is endless! One thing that the Egyptians made was black ink. Not only did they make blank ink, but many other marvelous colors that are still seen today, so long after they had invented it. They had also made the first ox-drawn plows. They was very useful, because Egypt was also home to fertile black soil near the river, even though a majority of the land of Egypt was just desert. This made growing crops like wheat and vegetables much easier and much more profitable. To make ox-drawn plows, skilled metal working and animal husbandry was needed.

Not only did Egyptians make black ink and ox-drawn plows, but they also made the calendar that consisted of 365 days, and a leap year every four years. They made a calendar with twelve months, thirty days each, and with five extra days. They made the leap year by adding a day every four years since the year 238 BCE. Egyptians made an early system of writing called hieroglyphics (If you want hieroglyphics information, got to the page titled Hieroglyphics). They even invented the paper in which they put the writing on! The paper was made from a reed plant called papyrus. The word “paper” is from “papyrus.” And having to have lived by the Nile river, the Egyptians needed to make an efficient way of traveling on water. It was because of that reason that they invented sails.

They also made the shadoof. The shadoof was a useful device used to help handle the water from the Nile River. Using it, they could lift water from the river, and then they could pour the water in buckets. Everyone back then used make-up. Eye make-up was probably the most frequently used invention—even poor people wore it! It was protection from the sun, as well as something to “decorate” your face. It was a necessity to wear it. (More on Women’s Fashion ). Not only that, the Egyptians invented clocks. The Egyptians invented two types of clocks, the sun clock and water clock. The sun clock worked by observing the moving shadows throughout the day. The invention of the sun clock made it able to divide the day into morning, afternoon, and night. The first water clock was found in the tomb of the pharaoh Amenhotep. The water clocks were pots with a tiny hole in the bottom so that the water would drip down at the constant rate. Both clocks were very useful. What is probably one of the Egyptians’ most famous inventions was the first triangular pyramid. They were so big and spectacular, especially the Pyramid of Giza, which became the only one of the wonders of the world still standing. It’s one of the tallest man-made structures, too. (More on pyramids in Pyramids).

What is probably the most important invention of the Egyptians was medicines. It was very useful. It helped Egyptians figure out the anatomy of humans and study the organs. It, too, helped cure Egyptians’ illnesses. Isn't it fascinating that Egyptians invented so many equipments? Egyptians were sure intelligent. Every day, while looking at the calendar, you should think about how they invented the days and hours. And every day, while looking at anything, you should think of the effort it took for the person to invent it.

Resources: Pictures & Information from: [] (pyramid, sails, & papyrus picture) Information from: [|ftp.aa.edu/lydon/egypt/matton1egypt/index.htm] Pictures from: [] (shadoof picture) Pictures from: [] (ox-drawn cart picture)

Page by: Adelle Ingrid F. Dimitui & Mi Jin Kim